About IPT

A Brief Introduction to IPT

What is Interpersonal Psychotherapy?

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (Klerman & Weissman et al, 1984) provides a pragmatic, time-limited and focused approach to the treatment of major depression.

It is modest in its use of psychotherapy jargon and promotes attention to the relationship-based issues which are central to the experience of many depressed patients.

Treatment
The treatment does not become entangled in questions of causation, acknowledging the capacity for depression to both precipitate and reflect interpersonal change and difficulty. Instead it attends to difficulties arising in the daily experience of maintaining relationships and resolving difficulties while suffering an episode of major depression.
Aims
The fundamental clinical task of IPT is to help patients to learn to link mood with interpersonal contacts, and to recognise that by appropriately addressing interpersonal situations they may simultaneously improve both their relationships and depressive state.

Goals of Interpersonal Psychotherapy

1. To reduce the symptoms of depression.
2. To improve the quality of the patient's social and interpersonal functioning.

IPT is an evidence-based psychotherapy. It has been evaluated as both an acute intervention (Elkin et al, 1989) and as a maintenance therapy (Klerman et al,1974; Frank at al, 1990) for major depression.

Adaptation & Use of Interpersonal Psychotherapy

IPT has also been adapted for use with different age groups including adolescents (Mufson et al, 1993) and older adults (Reynolds et al, 1999), as well as medically ill depressed patients (Markowitz 1998; O', 2000).
Bulimia Nervosa (Fairburn 1993) and Bulimic Disorders (Whight et al, 2011) Bipolar Disorder (Frank et al 1997), and Dysthymia (Markowitz, 1998).

Applications with anxiety disorders and post traumatic stress disorder are ongoing. IPT was originally designed as an individual therapy but has since been modified for use in a group setting (Wilfley et al, 2000).

Limitations of Therapy

As a short-term therapy with a narrow and defined focus we do not claim to effect major shifts in attachment status or significant personality change, (though IPT can begin the process of both). Neither do we claim to make changes beyond the scope of the defined intervention. It is important for all IPT UK members to refer a service user to another practitioner if their needs surpass their level of IPT knowledge and skills. It is crucial to ensure that all IPT UK members are trained for the level of practice, whether this is a practitioner, supervisor, or trainer, in accordance with IPT UK’s accreditation standards. Please see our Code of Conduct.

As a therapy that aims to bring about positive change in people's lives, we are also mindful of the potential risks of harm. All IPT UK members are expected to adhere to our policies and guidance to minimise these risks. Should any concerns arise, we strongly encourage the use of our Complaints Procedure.

The Guide to Interpersonal Psychotherapy is the definitive, practical guide to Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for clinicians and researchers. IPT is a well-researched, time-limited, and diagnosis-focused therapy. An update and expansion of the original 1984, 2000, and 2007 IPT manuals, this guide illustrates not only individual IPT treatment for patients with major depression but adaptations of IPT for different diagnoses, patient populations, and treatment formats. This book is the basis for the extensive research that has validated IPT and led to its listing in treatment guidelines.